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IPNI SEAP Staff Publication List

Buresh, R.J., M.F. Pampolino and C. Witt. 2010.Field-specific potassium and phosphorus balances and fertilizer requirements for irrigated rice-based cropping systems.
Plant and Soil, Vol 335, page 35-64.
Abstract: Fertilizer K and P requirements for rice (Oryza sativa L.) can be determined with site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) using estimated target yield, nutrient balances, and yield gains from added nutrient. We used the QUEFTS (Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils) model with >8000 plot-level observations to estimate the relationship between grain yield and nutrient accumulation in above-ground dry matter of irrigated rice with harvest index 0.4. Predicted reciprocal internal efficiencies (RIEs) at 60-70% of yield potential corresponded to plant accumulation of 14.6 kg N, 2.7 kg P, and 15.9 kg K per tonne of grain yield. These RIEs enable determination of plant requirements for K and P and net output of K and P in harvested grain and removed crop residues at a target yield. Yield gains for nutrient applied to irrigated rice averaged 12% for K and 9% for P for 525 to 531 observations. For fields without certain yield gain, fertilizer K and P requirements can be determined by a partial maintenance approach (i.e., fertilizer input<output in nutrient balance), which considers nutrient supply mediated through soil processes and balances trade-offs between financial loss with full maintenance rates and risk of excessive nutrient depletion without nutrient application. When yield gains to an added nutrient are certain, partial maintenance plus yield gain can be used to determine fertilizer requirements. The SSNM-based approach and algorithms enable rapid development of field-specific K and P management.

Donough, C.R., C. Witt and T.H. Fairhurst. 2010.Yield intensification in oil palm using BMP as a management tool.
Proceedings of the International Oil Palm Conference, Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI), Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 1-3 June 2010. Pages 1-8.
Abstract: The gap between actual yield and maximum yield potential at a plantation may be partitioned into 3 components - Yield Gap 1 due to inefficiencies during plantation development and the immature period, Yield Gap 2 due to inaccurate assessment of nutrient needs, and Yield Gap 3 due to inefficient management of the mature stand. Gaps 2 and 3 can be corrected in existing mature plantations using the best management practice (BMP) concept developed by IPNI. In the concept, a set of selected BMPs are implemented in several full-sized blocks representing a plantation and assessed for agronomic, economic and environmental performance, in comparison to a parallel set of reference (REF) blocks. More than just the practices in themselves, it is the process of BMP implementation and evaluation that is the management tool, providing practical, commercial-scale evidence to guide decisions on investments for yield intensification. Since July 2006, IPNI has established 30 commercial blocks with BMP in collaboration with its plantation partners at 6 sites in Indonesia. Results todate show the robustness of the BMP concept and its applicability across a wide range of environmental and operating conditions. Bunch yield with BMP averaged 3.4 t/ha (+15%) higher due to more (+9%) and heavier (+6%) bunches. Crop recovery BMPs including a short harvest interval are important for high bunch yield in the short term, while other agronomic BMPs related to canopy and nutrient management are important for sustained or enhanced yield in the longer term. Cost per unit area is higher with BMP, but higher BMP yield improves profitability at the farm gate. In the final year of the project, oil and kernel yields are being estimated. The BMP concept is a model for continuous improvement - a BMP that is successfully evaluated becomes current practice, and a new cycle of BMP evaluation starts.

Oberthür, T., C.R. Donough, L. Collet, J.H. Cock, C. Witt and T.H. Fairhurst. 2010.Where in the world oil palm best management practices developed in degraded lands in Indonesia may work well.
Poster presented at the 8th Annual Roundtable Meeting (RT8) on Sustainable Palm Oil, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Jakarta, Indonesia, 8-11 November 2010.
Abstract: IPNI has demonstrated the success of best management practices (BMP) for ecological intensification of oil palm plantations in poorer environments in Indonesia. Can these BMP be deployed to intensify oil palm plantations in other regions? Answering this question provides the basis for analyzing and defining the best possible business options.

Witt, C., T.H. Fairhurst and W. Griffiths. 2006.The need to increase profitability in oil palm plantations: Matching crop and nutrient management principles with evolving strategies.
The Planter, 82:377-403.
Abstract: There is an evident need for the oil palm industry to undertake steps to increase productivity on existing planted land considering the scarcity of suitable land for further expansion. National statistics show that oil yields have stagnated over the past 20 years in Malaysia and Indonesia despite the fact that the yield potential of existing planting material is about 10 t/hapalm oil products on good land. This paper presents crop and nutrient management principles that can be used to increase productivity and reduce existing yield gaps. We identify the key principles of crop and nutrient management as i) decision-making based on relevant information, ii) development of management units based on soil and plant surveys, iii) best management practice for optimal economic yield, iv) plant-based determination of nutrient needs, and v) need-based fertiliser use for effective and environmentally sound nutrient use. Case studies are used to provide examples for the integration of tools and technologies to achieve an ecological intensification of palm oil production. We conclude with an attempt to develop a conceptual framework for site-specific nutrient management in oil palm drawing on similar developments in other crops.

Griffiths, W., T.H. Fairhurst, I.R. Rankine, A.G. Kerstan and C. Taylor. 2002.Identification and elimination of yield gaps in oil palm. Use of OMP7 and GIS.
Proceedings of the International Oil Palm Conference, Nusa Dua, Bali, 8-12 July 2002. Pages 1-10. Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI), Medan, Indonesia.
Abstract: The increasing competitiveness of other vegetable oil crops, declining commodity prices, scarcity and cost of labor, and reduced availability of land for further expansion are some of the reasons driving a requirement for increased productivity in oil palm plan­tations in Southeast Asia (Foong and Lee, 2000; Fry, 2000; Goh, 2000; Gurmit Singh, 1999; Kuruvilla, 2000; Paramananthan, 2000; Stringfellow, 2000; Teo, 2001). At the same time it is clear that yields lag behind the potential in many oil palm plantations. Fur­thermore, more stringent controls on environmental impact are a consequence of the mar­ket's demand for certified sources of 'clean' crude palm oil produced in sustainable pro­duction systems (Kuruvilla et al., 2002). In all oil palm plantations, it is essential to iden­tify the potential yield for each soil type and planting material, establish realistic yield targets, by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on representative soil types, and then identify and eliminate yield gaps by site specific field management. We are pres­ently implementing a program of BMPs in selected blocks in the Pacific Rim Plantations Group (PACRIM) so that the potential yield. limited only by soil type, planting material and climate, is fully expressed We use OMP7, a computer database system, to store and analyze all historical information on yield, nutrient use, leaf and soil analysis, tree stand and selected environmental parameters for each block. Agronomic information is por­trayed in block history reports, using OMP7, and maps, using G/S software with OMP7 as the data source. Blocks that have performed poorly are identified by calculating the gap between site-specific potential yield and actual yield Lists and maps that include infor­mation on agronomic constraints for each poorly performing block are produced from OMP7 to provide a quantitative basis for field inspections. Ar. action plan is then drawn up including a program of activities that will eliminate those agronomic constraints ame­nable to management control. This approach constitutes a change.from the use of routine field upkeep programs to site-specific management of the factors that constrain yield on a block-by-block basis. We are present(v implementing this approach as part of the PA CRIM group's strategv to achieve yields in excess of 8 t ha-I palm products.

Prabowo, N.E., L. Tohiruddin, T.H. Fairhurst, H.L. Foster and N. Evi Nafisah. 2002.Efficiency of fertilizer recovery by oil palm in Sumatra.
Proceedings of the International Oil Palm Conference, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 8-12 July 2002. Pages 282-290. Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI), Medan, Indonesia.
Abstract: Because fertilizers are usually the most costly input in field management of oil palm, there is a strong incentive to improve the efficiency of fertilizer nutrient use by crop. There is little published information on nutrient recovery rates for oil palm or on the factors that affect nutrient recovery efficiency. This information is needed for each nutrient as a reference so that the potential for improvement in recovery can be assessed and the success of any attempt to improve efficiency can be measured.

Fairhurst, T.H. 2000.Estimating fertilizer requirements: The use of soil analysis, leaf analysis and fertilizer experiments.
Proceedings for the Workshop held by ASGARD, Selangor, Malaysia, 26-28 January 2000. Pages 182-194, The Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP) Sabah North East Branch, Malaysia.

Fairhurst, T.H., R. Lefroy, E. Mutert and N. Batjes. 1999.The importance, distribution and causes of phosphorus deficiency as a constraint to crop production in the tropics.
Agroforestry Forum: Special issue on phosphorus availability, uptake and cycling in tropical agroforestry 9:2-8.

Fairhurst, T.H. and E. Mutert. 1999.Towards more efficient fertilizer use: Use of monitoring blocks, management and interpretation of agronomic data, interpretation of leaf analysis results, and choice of fertilizer materials.
Oral presentation at the National Seminar on Innovations in Plantation Management, Kuantan, Malaysia, 8-9 May 1999. The Incorporated Society of Planters, Malaysia.

Mutert, E.W. and T.H. Fairhurst. 1999.Oil Palm - The great crop of South East Asia: Potential, nutrition and management.
Proceedings of the International Fertilizer Industry Association regional conference for Asia and the Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14-17 November 1999. Page 14.

Mutert, E., T. Fairhurst and H.R. von Uexküll. 1999.Agronomic management of oil palms on deep peat.
Better Crops International 13(1):22-27.
Abstract: The special soil physicochemical characteristics of deep tropical peat soils and their environments are documented in order to explain the need for adequate drainage, compaction and nutrition in oil palm development on these "problem soils." Successful techniques of land preparation, nursery establishment, and planting procedures are presented together with fertilizer recommendations and yield response on peat soils in comparison to mineral soils.

Mutert, E. and T.H. Fairhurst. 1996.Changing scenarios in fertilizer consumption and supply in Southeast Asia.
Page 20 in Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainability of Oil Palm Plantations: Agronomic and Environmental Perspectives, Kuala Lumpur, 27-28 September 1996, International Society of Oil Palm Agronomists and Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia.

Mutert, E. and T.H. Fairhurst. 1996.Efficient nutrient management on tropical uplands in Southeast Asia.
Oral presentation at the International Symposium on Fertilizer in Agricultural Development (ISFAD), Beijing, China, 15-18 October 1996.

IPNI's Mission

The mission of IPNI is to develop and promote scientific information about the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family.

IPNI is a global organization with initiatives addressing the world's growing need for food, fuel, fiber and feed. There is widespread concern for issues such as climate change and relationship of crop production to the environment and ecosystems, and IPNI programs are achieving positive results. Best management practices (BMPs) for nutrient stewardship encourage the concept of applying the right product (source), at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.